“Jesse’s Journey”

A fence rises above burnt timbers.  Green grass grows, entangling life with the remembrance of destruction.  A child has been here.  Graffiti tells us the child’s tales of joy, of pain, of hope and of fear.  It decorates—or it litters? — the fence, the tree, the sun. 

A clothesline dances merrily in the breeze, reminding us of what childhood SHOULD BE—normal and free.

 “See the art in me!”

 Is this the plea of the child, hoping that someone will see that there is more to the soul than devastation, and more to the person than an angry tirade perpetrated along life’s path?  Or is it the child’s Creator, reaching out to the injured spirit, offering peace and solace amongst chaos and turmoil?

 The phoenix ascends.  Resilient wings carry it high above the trauma it has experienced; secure in the knowledge that someone here cares, and someone has seen its trial.  All birdies are welcome here—it is safe to share the stories, the pictures, and the journeys toward survival. 

 Jesse could be any child, terrorized by some unfortunate circumstance as he or she tenderly proceeds through childhood.  Will we give Jesse wings, or will we further clip the feathers with which Jesse might fly?

 Perhaps, for a moment, we now can see.  We DO see the art in YOU! 

 Fly free, dear Jesse.  Fly free!  Your future beckons you, and your past can, and will, let you go. 

 Your journey—your adventure—awaits you! 

 We all cheer you as you take flight.

Each year, thousands of children and adolescents are victims of trauma.  Their lives have been marked by violence, abuse, loss, terror and intense grief.  These children often lack the words to fully express their experiences.  Art provides “a language” that can free children from the burdens of misunderstanding and can help them “tell their stories” in a way that is both eloquent and powerful.

 “Jesse’s Journey” is composed of hundreds of pictures that were produced by Stark County, Ohio children who have survived traumatic experiences.  Trauma-informed treatment approaches encourage survivors to share their stories with skilled professionals, who guide them towards resolution of their painful experiences.  Through storytelling and pictures, the treatment process allows the child to regain a sense of safety and to eliminate the fear and frustration that often accompanies the experience of trauma.

Through the Phoenix Picture Project, artist Vicki Boatright collected drawings created by child survivors of trauma, and combined them together into a mixed media mural entitled “Jesse’s Journey.”  The artwork contains timbers reclaimed from an actual fire scene where lives of children were lost; making the trauma narratives very real. The mural is a tangible testament to the painful struggle faced by children affected by various forms of trauma.  “Jesse’s Journey” also reflects the resilience of the human spirit, and the return to hope that is possible when recovery occurs.

 We encourage people who are inspired by “Jesse’s Journey” to learn more about the effect of trauma and about treatment approaches available in the area.    Do you know a survivor of childhood trauma in need of help?  There are several treatment options available in your community.  Contact your local mental health services board for information about treatment providers that specialize in trauma recovery.